Sunday, January 6, 2013

New Year.....New Focus

Well Happy New Year everybody!  

I had a WONDERFUL Christmas!  And for the first time in YEARS, I just didn't want the Christmas season to end.  It was great having all the kids home, baking, cooking, playing cards, eating junk and laughing a LOT!

But now it's time to get started on 2013 and I'm excited about that too!  While my blog has always had a prominent thrifting theme; I see that topic taking even more center stage this year.  What has started out as a hobby has become a bit of a mission.  With all my heart, I believe that we can dress EXACTLY how we want without incessant shopping or patronizing the fast fashion retailers.

Most of us know we can "make do" with thrifting, but I believe that we can also build an enviable wardrobe through 90% thrifting and 10% thoughtful retail purchases.  And while we're doing that, we're cultivating our own personal signature style, not following trends, but identifying, embracing and creating our own aesthetic.  

So, that being said, I want to start my first post of the year with just what I was talking about.  Below is what I wore yesterday and can I just say, that much to my delight, everywhere I went I just collected compliments!!  Well, my boots collected most of them!  

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Dress:  Soft Surroundings, thrifted  Over the knee boots:  Jessica Simpson via TJ Maxx  Jacket:  Thrifted  Black Slip:  Vintage, thrifted   Bag:  Cynthia Rowley via TJ Maxx

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I purchased these boots last Christmas on clearance at TJ Maxx for (insert drum roll here)  $56!!!!!  That's right girlies!  All leather, over the knee, high heel, corset back boots for only $56!  They absolutely elevate everything that they're paired with!!

I thrifted the dress a few months ago and wear it often as a blouse, dress, belted, loose, you name it! As you can see from here, and here, I wear it quite often.   For $4.39....it was a no brainer!

And one of my favorite things.....my new bag!  It's the only new purchase I wanted to make this year.  I'll save the story of this bag and why I think it's important to make a couple of well thought out retail purchases a year for another post.  But lemme say here and now, I. LOVE. THIS. BAG!!

I'm linking up to Patti's Visible Monday today, so please be sure to check out all the very visible looks from your friendly bloggers!

Again, I ask everyone reading this to please consider taking the "Shop Secondhand First" pledge that Bella has started.  Please take a read and while you're at it; feel free to take a look at this article on Refinery 29 regarding the fashion industry's reliance on underpaid, overworked and very often abused labor.  I simply can't, in good conscience, turn a blind eye to ramifications of  our aspirational, fashion/trend, consumer driven culture.  I truly want to be a part of the solution or at the very least, don't want to be hypocritical.

And last, but for me, not least.  I'm going to be spending more time this year working on my eBay store.  I'd be tickled to death for you to take a look!  And while you're at it, be sure to check out Bella's goodies on eBay AND Etsy.  And Terri has some fabulously fun pieces on eBay that you won't want to miss!


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15 comments:

  1. Fabulous boots...great shopping!! You look amazing and I cannot wait to see your thrift scores this year! You inspire me always, Serene!!

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  2. Wow, this is a fabulous outfit!! Yes the boots are stunners and so is the gorgeous teal dress. I took Bella's pledge too and I am taking it seriously this year. Thanks for linking up to Visible Monday. xoxoxoxo

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  3. Happy New Year, Serene!
    You look absolutely gorgeous! Those boots are sexy & fabulous as are you!
    I admire you and others for pledging to "Shop Secondhand First"...more importantly for your reasons behind it.

    Have a wonderful week!

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  4. I so love those boots! I pray that I will be wearing something similar next year. Flats are just not my style!

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  5. I agree with you on the thrifting. My budget just got tighter, so I'll be checking out the thrift stores more often this year! Love your outfit and I love that you mixed thrifted with newer pieces...great finds!

    Sylvia
    www.sylvialovespink.com

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  6. I love the colors - the red turned up cuffs with the turquoise dress! I took the pledge, too, and also feel guilty about buying too much cheap clothing from sweatshops. Unfortunately, a lot of my thrift finds are made in China, also. Don't quite know what to do about that.

    I've had really good luck with thrift finds because I'm more willing to take a chance on styles. If they don't work out, then there's not much money involved and I can always give it back!

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  7. Love it! Love the dress, the boots are an incredible purchase.

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  8. Taking the pledge! Your boots are smashing, as is your entire ensemble. Happy 2013 to a blogger who I admire.

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  9. The boots are surely great as is the second hand attitude.You look beautiful and confident!Happy new year.

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  10. Those boots are pretty darn nice. I love how you added the pop of blue with all that black. Very chic.

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  11. Happy New Year!! Those boots are pretty great! SO is the dress, the colour looks so good on you!

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  12. Fab boots and they look great on you. The dress is very, very pretty. The whole outfit is so chic and one would never ever guess it was largely thrifted. You are an excellent ambassador for fabulous looking outfits purchased quite thrifty.

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  13. Happy New Year, Serene! I can see why you got compliments...I love this look. OTK boots with a knee-length dress, where the boots look more like leggings, is one of my fave combos. It's kind of weirdly sexy/subversive even though you're 100% covered! You got a great deal on those boots.

    I commend you for taking the Shop Secondhand First pledge. I'm not a thrifter, for a few reasons, but I do take pieces to a local consignment store, or eBay, so I feel like I'm still part of the process!

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  14. You look fabulous!! Aqua is definitely your color!!
    I took the pledge,too

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  15. God, GF those boots are TO DIE FOR!
    And thanks for reminding me to shop vintage on-line. I shop so many other things on line but not vintage usually. And I forgot Terri was doing it too--thanks again. Love, Paula

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Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! ~Serene